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Original poster

Opinions on the girl name Alba?

102 replies

OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:21

We love Alba for our baby girl.

The only criticism for the name I can imagine, is a likeness to Albert.
However I personally don’t foresee that as an issue.
We love the nickname Allie, as my mother’s name is Alison and she goes by Allie aswell.

Just wanted general opinions to see if there was anything I was missing with the name / any reasons not to use.

Middle name will be Sofia after my grandmother.

other options we still have running are:
Iris
Cassia
Gia
Margot

Not all with middle name Sofia, depending on flow of course.

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mynameiscalypso · Yesterday 16:23

DS is 7 and I know of a few Albas. In fact, his friend Alba’s name was one of the first words he said so I’ve always had a soft spot for it!

IPM · Yesterday 16:27

The only criticism for the name I can imagine, is a likeness to Albert.

That would depend on age.

I'm in my 50s and immediately thought of the Alba TV, stereo and kettle I used to own.

But I think they stopped making electronic products around 2010 ish.

CarbonArtist · Yesterday 16:27

It means ‘white’. Not necessarily a reason to avoid it, but something to be aware of.

Original poster
OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:28

IPM · Yesterday 16:27

The only criticism for the name I can imagine, is a likeness to Albert.

That would depend on age.

I'm in my 50s and immediately thought of the Alba TV, stereo and kettle I used to own.

But I think they stopped making electronic products around 2010 ish.

Yes I’ve never heard of them (24).

Could be an association more with grandparents perhaps.
I’ll ask my mum!! (Although she hasn’t mentioned it so far haha)

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Original poster
OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:30

CarbonArtist · Yesterday 16:27

It means ‘white’. Not necessarily a reason to avoid it, but something to be aware of.

yes, I have seen that when researching actually.

it also means dawn and sunrise, depending on the language.

it doesn’t bother me, I didn’t see it as being an issue but not sure if that’s naive?

OP posts:
emptygoosenest · Yesterday 16:31

It's the Gaelic word for Scotland so it's used quite a bit in Scotland as a result.

bannabead · Yesterday 16:31

I like the name Alba but don’t understand the need for the nickname Allie

bannabead · Yesterday 16:32

CarbonArtist · Yesterday 16:27

It means ‘white’. Not necessarily a reason to avoid it, but something to be aware of.

No that’s one meaning

Original poster
OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:33

bannabead · Yesterday 16:31

I like the name Alba but don’t understand the need for the nickname Allie

There’s no ‘need’

just makes sense to us

ALba

AL often equals Allie as a nickname

Think having an affectionate name for your child is always nice. Not something I’m forcing people to call her 🤣

OP posts:
Arlanymor · Yesterday 16:33

It's the Scottish Gaelic for 'Scotland' - like calling a kid Cymru in Wales. Nothing wrong with it - Enfys is a popular name here and it means Rainbow - Seren means Star. But my first thought was Scottish - that said there are plenty of Islas floating about who have no connection with Scotland either. It's a nice name, I know an Alban who is male and his dad is from Slovenia.

IPM · Yesterday 16:33

OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:30

yes, I have seen that when researching actually.

it also means dawn and sunrise, depending on the language.

it doesn’t bother me, I didn’t see it as being an issue but not sure if that’s naive?

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It's not naïve.

Ebony means black and it's still a popular name.

bannabead · Yesterday 16:34

But it’s no shorter than the actual name so seems odd to me

Sunbeam18 · Yesterday 16:34

Makes me think of Alex Salmond, unfortunately

Lomonald · Yesterday 16:34

It is the Gaelic name for Scotland and apparently it derived from the picts. It is used a lot here, it is nice enough I like it.

Lomonald · Yesterday 16:35

Sunbeam18 · Yesterday 16:34

Makes me think of Alex Salmond, unfortunately

Well that has just ruined it for me 😀

Iambeat · Yesterday 16:35

Not uncommon in Scotland (girls & boys). In Scot’s Gaelic it translates to Scotland. In Gaelic the b is pronounced more like a p. Not my choice but not unusual here

Lomonald · Yesterday 16:38

I don't understand the deep thought that goes into nicknames though don't diminutive names just evolve ?

emptygoosenest · Yesterday 16:38

Sunbeam18 · Yesterday 16:34

Makes me think of Alex Salmond, unfortunately

It does have that feel about it to be fair. I'm not sure I'd name my dc Scotland any more than I'd go for London.
Although I've known dc called both.

CarbonArtist · Yesterday 16:38

OneBlueKoala · Yesterday 16:30

yes, I have seen that when researching actually.

it also means dawn and sunrise, depending on the language.

it doesn’t bother me, I didn’t see it as being an issue but not sure if that’s naive?

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I would have thought it’s unlikely to be an issue. Most people wouldn’t know it means white and besides, no one assumes girls called Bianca or Blanche have been named by white supremacists, do they?

ProtestantTraybakeQueen · Yesterday 16:39

Lots of them, very popular round here, nice name. Vowel-heavy girl names are always popular.

stepoutoftime · Yesterday 16:39

Love it! I’ve only known one. Nobody called her anything other than Alba. Beautiful name.

Lomonald · Yesterday 16:40

emptygoosenest · Yesterday 16:38

It does have that feel about it to be fair. I'm not sure I'd name my dc Scotland any more than I'd go for London.
Although I've known dc called both.

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I guess you can say the same about Paris or Chester although you don't get many baby Edinburghs do you.

ProtestantTraybakeQueen · Yesterday 16:40

No, I think nicknames just evolve. Very common practise to have a longer name on the birth cert and a diminutive for day to day. Hence schools always have a ‘known as’ field in their enrolment forms.

Elizabeth - Lizzie, Libby, Beth, Betsy all very different.

Alfred - Alfie or Freddie?

PurpleThistle7 · Yesterday 16:42

My daughter has a friend with that name. Loads of them here in Scotland, quite a nationalistic name really. It’s pretty. I wouldn’t do it with Sofia though, too many ‘a’s’

RosaFelicia · Yesterday 16:43

Alba is a very popular Spanish girl's name, I think it's lovely!

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